Month: January 2019

When I set off from home this morning it was freezing fog, a real Vale of York pea-souper with the thermometer down to -6C. But as I climbed up towards pickering the air began to clear and by the time I reached the Seven it was a glorious, crisp sunny day, with the temperature up […]

Back up to Pickering Beck with the French leader. I find the method hard work and frustrating, but it’s starting to become disturbingly addictive. If I was more adventurous I’d have a go at the Seven, but as far as the grayling are concerned that river has been a dead loss so far this winter. […]

Up to Pickering Beck once again to have yet another go at getting to grips with this French nymphing business. The conditions were pretty much spot on: no wind and the water up an inch or two from last time and with the merest hint of colour. It was pretty cold though, 3C according to […]

The river down at the bottom of the field – the Lower Derwent – has been rubbish lately. It’s been well up, right over the banks and the colour of milky tea, for much of the past couple of weeks. But over the last few days it has started to drop and fine out. I’ve […]

Up to Pickering Beck with the French leader outfit. Pretty nippy at 3C but no real breeze to speak of. The water was low and surprisingly clear. On with the hot pink copper-headed nymph to the point and, as per suggestions passim, a dropper fly – a size 16 gold headed hare’s ear. A couple […]